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Welcome to Tidbits From A Mom! I love trying products that allow my family to be healthy and safe, enjoy life, and make our household run smoothly. If you're interested in having a product reviewed and/or having me host a giveaway, please contact me!

I posted a while back about my experience with psychics in the past.I’m not sure whether you are a believer of psychics but I have always tried to keep an open mind.I recently had a reading with psychic Cynthia Ann.I have to admit – I was a little nervous about what Cynthia Ann was going to say to me.I’m not sure why.I wasn’t sure whether I was going to hear something that was going to upset me, even though I know they don’t tend to pass on scary information.

Cynthia Ann was so easy to talk to.She was sweet and had a very calming nature.She spoke to me about the cards she was reading.Some of the things she shared made sense to me and others did not.This may have been because I just haven’t made the connection to them yet.She did share that the new activity that I’ve started recently will be very successful, which I could only attribute to my new jewelry for my jewelry business.This was exciting news!

I had never done a reading over the phone before.I wish that I could have done one face-to-face.I wanted to see the cards and experience it in person. I also struggled with the fact that my kids were home and I was trying to keep them entertained and listen at the same time.They were home because it was a snow day.Overall, they were very well behaved while I was trying to talk to Cynthia Ann.

Thank you very much to Cynthia Ann for taking the time to provide me with a reading.I enjoyed speaking to her.

Friday, March 11, 2011

I can't tell you how deep of a breath I took this morning when I heard the news. Looking at the pictures made my heart pound. I stopped breathing, imagining my husband there on business. He was supposed to hop on a plane two days ago because his work was having an emergency. Someone else offered to go in his place because my daughter's first gymnastics competition is this weekend. I've always worried about him traveling, but I've been concerned about the air travel. I'd never considered earthquakes and tsunamis. Now I have new anxiety....He is supposed to leave for Taiwan on Monday. I'm not sure yet he's going to be going because he is supposed to connect through the Tokyo airport. In addition, my in-laws are in Hawaii. Thankfully, they were sent to higher ground pretty early. I know these events don't happen often, but I'm still going to worry. Those poor people and their families...

Friday, March 4, 2011

Thankfully, not yet. But, sometimes I'm amazed that I haven't considering how I am always in a rush!

2. Where did you go on your very first date? (Like...first first, not first with your spouse or current significant other!)

I went out for Chinese food with my date. My date insisted on paying and as we got into the car, the owner came out and started yelling at my date about the bill. My date hadn't had enough money to leave for a tip and didn't say anything. So, we drove back to his house and got money and had to go back and leave a tip.

3. What's your "silly" fear? (We're not talking water and heights.)

I have a fear of spiders and creepy crawly bugs. I have a fear that spiders are going to be in my shoes if I leave them in the basement. Have you ever heard of Brown Recluse Spiders? I met someone who had a spider lay eggs in them and she almost had to have her leg amputated. Oh My God! Can you imagine??

4. Confrontation: do you cause it, deal with is as it comes, or run far far away?

It depends on who the person is and what the issue is. If it's my husband, I sometimes cause and I also deal with it. If it is someone at work, I run far from it.

5. Wood floors or carpet?

We have all carpet, except the dining room and the foyer. I would love all hardwood! Maybe someday!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

I cannot get this question out of my head today. What has happened to respect? Common courtesy? Just when I think I have seen everything...someone finds a new way to surprise me. This includes adults, but primarily I'm talking about kids and teenagers. I would be horrified if my child spoke to another adult the way I have watched some students talk to teachers as well as myself. I know their parents would be horrified as well. When I think back to when I attended elementary school, I would never IN A MILLION YEARS think of yelling out in class, purposely disregarding a teacher who was speaking to me, being fresh in responding to an adult, etc.

The children are all angels when you are speaking to them one on one. You can have wonderful conversations with them. The majority of students are respectful one on one. However, get them together in a group and something happens. They become completely consumed with getting each other's attention at no expense. This is not everyone of course, I don't want to imply that in any way. A lot of my job entails talking to kids about respect and how their behavior affects others and how people view them. My lessons/advice are not working. I feel as though I am beating my head against a cement wall. I care about these kids, I really do. I'm frustrated because I know what great kids they are. They just can behave so badly when together in a group.

It was a long, frustrating day. I am going to bed and pulling the covers over my head. Goodnight!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Have you seen these adorable kids’ play pillows yet?They are called Happy Nappers!These cute stuffed animals convert to a pillow for naptime and back to a stuffed animal for playtime.There’s a dragon, cow, penguin, ladybug, dog, and unicorn.They’re so cute!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard is singlehandedly the most informative book I think I have ever read. This book teaches us about the overconsumption that has occurred on our planet and how the effects and damage are irreversible. There are five chapters that discuss the manners in which this overconsumption has happened, including "Extraction","Production", "Distribution", "Consumption", and "Disposal". These chapters are so full of information, it will make your head spin.

I took a class during college called "Environmental Conservation", during which we discussed how the resources on our planet have utilized and wasted. That was 15 years ago. It is so much worse now. The Story of Stuff should be the textbook for that same course nowadays! Honestly, I found myself a little anxious at times after reading certain facts because they were simply devastating and it doesn't appear that things are going to change any time soon. Although I also felt a sense of hopelessness at times, I realized that there are many things I have already been doing in order to "do my part". However, there are so many other things I can do, such as using more nontoxic products. I can't wait to share what I have learned with my family and friends and hopefully, we can do more by spreading more knowledge.

It took me a while to read this book because I wanted the facts to sink in. The book is extremely well-written and it is quite obvious that Annie Leonard is an expert in her field.

More about Annie Leonard:
Annie Leonard is the creator of the Internet film The Story of Stuff and is currently the Director of The Story of Stuff Project. "Annie has spent nearly two decades investigating and organizing on environmental health and justice issues. She has traveled to 40 countries, visiting literally hundreds of factories where our stuff is made and dumps where our stuff is dumped. Witnessing first hand the horrendous impacts of both over- and under- consumption around the world, Annie is fiercely dedicated to reclaiming and transforming our industrial and economic systems so they serve, rather than undermine, ecological sustainability and social equity".

You can read more about Annie Leonard and The Story of Stuff Poject HERE!

Thank you very much to Free Press Blog Tours for allowing me the opportunity to review this book.

*Disclaimer: I was not provided monetary compensation for this post. I was provided with a free copy of this book to keep for the purposes of the review. The opinions expressed here are soley my own.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I’ve read several books about intense abuse over the years, but none have affected me so deeply. I have found myself thinking about this book often in the past week since I finished it. Empty Chairs is the true-life story of Stacy Danson. Her story begins with her earliest memories of severe abuse. She chronicles her struggles, her perseverance, and her bravery in the face of unbelievable pain and uncertainty. As I read Empty Chairs, I remembered my own childhood, what my family was like, my friends, experiences in school, etc. and then tried to imagine myself living the horror that was Stacy Danson’s childhood and I feel a tightness in my chest. I can’t imagine it. As I finished the book, I felt an intense wish to hear more about her life. I don’t believe that I can truly express how much I admire Stacy Danson. Thank you so much to Stacy for finding the courage to share her story.

You can purchase the Kindle Edition of Empty Chairs on Amazon.com HERE.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Touch of the Master’s Hand was a poem written by Myra Brooks Welch back in 1921.This is a beautiful poem. I had never read it before.The poem is about the fact that regardless of how we feel about ourselves or how others view us, we are still loved and worthy in the eyes of God.This poem really hit home for me and I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to review it.Greg Newbold, the illustrator for this book, is amazing.The pictures are beautiful.This hardcover book is definitely going to be a favorite in my bookcase.

I read the book to my daughter, who did not understand it at first, but did once I explained the message.I am not able to read it to my students, although I know there are many that could benefit from it, because it’s related to God and we are not allowed to read books related to religion in my Guidance program.

More about Greg Newbold:

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Greg Newbold has always loved to draw and paint and feels fortunate to be able to create art for a living. Making the world a more beautiful place through his paintings is one of Greg’s ideals, because “life needs art.” His finely detailed, nostalgic and sometimes whimsical artwork can be enjoyed in several picture books including The Barnyard Night Before Christmas written by Beth Terrill (Random House; 2007) and Winter Lullaby by Barbara Seuling (Gulliver Books-Harcourt; 1998). Greg’s paintings for The Touch of the Master’s Hand earned Awards of Merit from both The Society of Illustrators and Communication Arts.

Thank you very much to MediaGuests.net for allowing me the opportunity to review this wonderful, inspiring book.

As parents it is always tough to find time to watch a kids movie that really isn’t made with adults in mind at all because they are so incredibly dull. Some of most successful movies are not catered for kids or adults but are there for the entire family to enjoy and have fun parts for the kids and in-jokes for adults to snigger at. With this in mind here are some of the top movies that the entire family can enjoy.

It is safe to say that sitting down as a family and watching any Disney movie is going to result in a fantastic time and everyone in the family taking great enjoyment in what they are watching. The great thing about Disney is that they have such a range of movies to pick from.
I was lucky enough to find some time to go and see the 50th Disney Animated movie this week, Tangled, with my girlfriend and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Before the film started I took the time to take a look round the cinema and noted that pretty much everyone there was part of a family and it is then you realise that Disney has still got it.

Now this one might not sound like something that too many families sit down and watch but it is a movie (along with its two sequels) that really does keep everyone entertained for the entire duration of the film. When the movie was re-released in 2010 to celebrate the anniversary and Blu-Ray release I went to go and see it at the cinema (wasn’t around the first time) and as we got up to leave the cinema the kids behind us told their parents how much they loved the movie. I was somewhat considering it is a late 80s movie but relieved as one of my favourite movies of all time remains timeless.

I could be slaughtered for this but it is arguably the best big-screen musical of all time showing just how children manage to get through and take on their fears. The reason I have included this movie in the list is because despite it being nearly 75 years old when you put kids that have never seen the film in front of the screen they are still impressed by it and still sit back and enjoy it. You can sit down with your family once a year to enjoy this movie as a family too which is why it is so appealing. On top of this it is recognised as one of the best movies of all time and not to show this to everyone in the family would be a crime!